THE FIRST PENTECOST IN JERUSALEM AND JOEL’S PROPHECY - THE PRAYER-MOVEMENT - THE PRAYER-CIRCLES IN 1902—THE RENEWED PREACHING OF THE CROSS.

AFTER the tragedy of Calvary, and the glorious Resurrection and Ascension of Him Who is now alive for evermore, the Ascended Lord sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High, and received of the Father the “promise of the Holy Ghost” for His redeemed ones as the fruit of His Cross and Passion. He then poured Him forth upon the company of men and women gathered together with one accord in the upper room in Jerusalem—the city where He was crucified.

Giving them commandment “through the Holy Ghost,” almost His last words to them before He ascended had been “I send forth the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.”

Returning from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem they set themselves to obey, and with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer until at last the day dawned, and the Holy Ghost came as the “rushing of a mighty breath.”

The word used to describe His advent is significant. The breath of the Spirit is spoken of by the Lord Jesus to Nicodemus when He told him that men dead in sin must have a new birth—a birth from above which would come by the breathing of the Spirit of Life upon them, so that they are begotten of God. And “the Spirit breatheth where He listeth! Men could hear and see the effects as with the wind, but not know “whence it cometh and whither it goeth.”

Later on we read that on the first Easter Day the Risen Lord stood in the midst of His disciples, and, showing them His hands and His side scarred with the marks of Calvary, breathed on them, saying “Receive ye,” or, as it is literally, “Take ye the Holy Ghost.”

We cannot doubt that the disciples received the Holy Ghost when the Risen Lord breathed upon them, but their immediate after-life shows that it was not the energising for service and clothing with Divine power, which the Lord so expressly bade them tarry for ere they attempted witnessing for Him. The breathing upon them of the Holy Ghost on the first Easter Day seems to have been the “earnest,” or preparation for the Pentecostal fullness of the Divine Spirit, and they would have sorely failed to enter into His greater purposes for them had they said “But we received the Holy Ghost on the day of His resurrection!” and not waited at Jerusalem until they were “baptised in the Holy Ghost,” or clothed with Him, as the Lord had promised.

But they obeyed and tarried, possibly scarce knowing what the outcome would be, until suddenly there came from heaven a “rushing mighty breath.” The breath of God which gives the new birth to every believer, now came forth with such force and volume that it filled the very atmosphere of the house where they were sitting. The believers were now, so to speak, submerged in the Holy Ghost, as well as indwelt by Him. In this intensely surcharged atmosphere the Divine Spirit became manifest— apparently to sight as well as hearing—and there appeared unto them tongues like as of fire “distributing themselves,” and resting upon each one present, until each—no matter what the temperament, education, training, position, sex, or age might be—” began to speak” as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The city of Jerusalem knew nothing of the little company quietly meeting and praying in the upper room! But now they could not be hid. Hearing the sound of voices the multitude came together, and saw the Spirit-filled company so manifestly under the control of some power which lifted them out of themselves that some said “They are filled with new wine,” whilst all were amazed and marvelled, saying, “Are not all these which speak Galileans? “—untaught, uncultured people from the province of Galilee.

The world had been going on its way, ignorant of all that God was silently working in the spiritual realm to bring about the counsels of the ages.

But now! “What meaneth this? “ cries the gathering multitude. Ah, momentous things had happened in the unseen realm, and all that had been wrought by the death of the God-Man at Calvary must now be made manifest to the world that crucified Him! The Third Person of the Godhead, the Eternal Spirit of the Father, comes forth to bear witness to the Crucified and Risen Lord, and clothe human beings with Divine authority as His messengers.

In answer to the charge of being filled with wine Peter rose to speak—the very man who just a fortnight before had denied his Lord in that same city. Speaking under the constraint of the Divine Spirit, he said, “This is that which hath been spoken by the prophet Joel:- “And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy . . . . on My servants, and on My handmaidens in those days will I pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”

Let us mark the words, for they vitally concern the people of God to-day. “This is that which hath been spoken by the prophet Joel,” said the Apostle. Not “this is the entire fulfilment of the prophecy.” It is written “ I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh,” and this speaks of a larger circle than one hundred and twenty men and women. Yea, a larger circle than even the three thousand and five thousand souls, and “multitudes” more of men and women so quickly “added to the Lord.” The words undoubtedly foretell a wider fulfilment of the prophecy than took place at Pentecost.

Joel said “in those days will I pour out My Spirit.” The expression “is in the long Hebrew tense, expressing continuance of action, literally an incoming, unfinished, and continuous outpouring.’ It therefore appears that the words ‘‘ in those days cover the whole dispensation of the Spirit, beginning with the day of Pentecost. The purpose of God was manifestly a beginning in the upper room; and a continuing upon wider and wider circles as the overflowing stream of life reached the “uttermost parts of the earth “; but alas, alas, the Church, instead of abiding in a Pentecostal condition, drifted further and further away from it. Nevertheless the Word of God standeth sure. The Church shall be brought back to her Pentecost when she knows her need and turns to the Lord.

In the prophecy of Joel we see foreshadowed under the figure of “rain” the work of the Holy Ghost. Joel speaks of the Lord’s response to the cry of His people, when He would cause to come down for them the “former rain “ and the “latter rain”, then AFTERWARD should come the outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh, and a time of such manifestly supernatural workings of the Spirit, that whosoever would simply “call” on the name of the Lord should be delivered. The “former rain” was always given in Palestine to cause the seed sown to germinate and grow into maturity. The “latter rain” was looked for as essential to the plumping out of the grain for its ripening and fitting for harvest. How clear the forecast of the purposes of God toward His people in the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

We need not now attempt to trace the Divine movements in the world preceding the first Pentecost. Were we to do so, we should find them strikingly parallel with those in recent years, when the condition of the professing Christian Church has become similar to the Jewish Church at the close of the dispensation before the Messiah appeared.

It will be sufficient for us to emphasise that Joel’s prophecy clearly sets forth the preparation of the people of God by a seeking unto God in prayer. We read that they are brought by His providential dealings to a consciousness of their need, and are summoned to leave all their interests, and with one accord to seek His face; then would come the Lord’s response in overflow of personal blessing, and the pouring out of His Spirit in such measure that the world should be touched, and sinners call upon the Lord. The first Pentecost at Jerusalem exactly fulfilled this forecast. Bereft of the One Who had been with them in bodily presence as Teacher and Guide; faced with His command to go forth and disciple all nations; conscious of their powerlessness to fulfil this commission, and of their lack of position, culture, knowledge, and all the resources which would command the attention of the world to their message, the little company of disciples gathered with one accord to pray until they were equipped with power from on high.

PRAYER preceded the first Pentecost, and PRAYER must precede the wider outpouring of the Spirit in the last days, therefore the true members of Christ all over the world must be drawn by the Spirit within them into one accord in asking God to pour forth His Spirit according to His word. The extent of the one will govern the extent of the other, for prayer prepares the channels for the Holy Spirit to fill, and flow out through into the world.

The question therefore arises as to whether there has been in recent years any indication of the special preparation of the Church for the wider fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy. If we find this to be so, our faith will be strengthened, and our vision cleared, to see that the Revival in Wales may be the beginning of the “latter rain” which shall prepare the Church of God for the Lord’s appearing, and draw into the kingdom all who willeth to be saved.

To obtain a wide vision, let us in heart and mind now ascend into the secret place of the Most High, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, and look out with Him upon the world, and watch the movings of His Spirit among His people. We may only find the veil lifted here and there, and obtain but glimpses into His workings, but these will suffice to give insight into His preparations over the earth for the fulfilment of His purposes toward men.

We will go in thought back to the year 1898 or 1899, and glancing into an Institute in America see gathered there three to four hundred children of God, meeting every Saturday night to pray for a “world-wide revival.” In this Institute we find men and women from every clime seeking equipment for the preaching of the Gospel. Their hearts yearn over their own lands, and “world-wide” must be the blessing which they seek. After a time a few began to stay in prayer late at night, and ceased not until the early hours of the Sabbath morning. Among them was one who was their Leader. Conscious that they who pray must be ready to be instrumental in answering their own prayers, he offers himself to God for any special service in the bringing about of the prayed-for Revival.

Rapidly we cross in vision to another far-away land, and in Australia find a band of ministers and laymen who have met for eleven whole years every Saturday afternoon, pleading with God for a “big revival.” In the wondrous chain of the Divine workings, we next see a messenger called out from the heart of the praying company in America, to be one of the instruments in Australia, of God answering these prayers—the very one who had laid himself at the feet of the Lord of the harvest, ready for all His commands.

In 1901 we look into the great city of Melbourne, and see fifty missioners holding services in fifty different centres of the city, whilst 40,000 praying souls meet in two thousand homes for “home” prayer meetings, encircling the city with prayer. Many meet for half nights of prayer, and Melbourne is moved from end to end by the mighty movings of the Spirit of God.

We come again in swift thought back to Great Britain, and look in at the huge meetings of five thousand Christians gathered at Keswick in July, 1902. Hark! The story of the “home prayer circles” around Melbourne is being told. Hearts of workers are burdened and sad. Weary of organisation and effort, no fresh “Prayer Union” would appeal to them, but quickly the spark from the fire in Australia falls into many hearts. “Home prayer circles !” The “twos and threes” of those who are truly burdened for “world-wide revival!” Ah, this is the call of God! If a city may be thus girdled with prayer, why not the world? Quickly are the names of those who are drawn of God to pray sent in from all parts of the earth, until thousands of praying hearts were circling the globe with praye:r. It is God’s prayer union gathered and guided by Him, with no organization, no membership fee, no staff, but just the few who register the names as a labour of love for souls. And the prayer was now for the “outpouring of the Spirit !“ In other words, a Pentecost to the Church of God.

Just one month earlier, in far-away India the Divine Spirit laid the same burden upon the servants of God, and guided them—without any conscious connection with the prayer-movement in other lands —to form a prayer-circle of those who would unite to plead for the outpoured Spirit upon that dark and needy land. Manifestly the Spirit of God was simultaneously moving the people of God in various parts of the world to pray for the same thing, and creating the cry for that which He was preparing to do.

Later we shall see how the year 1902, when the circles of prayer were formed, stands out as the time when world-wide the praying people of God—— including, we doubt not, many prayer-groups, and praying hearts, not visibly linked with the world wide circles—united in one accord to ask for the promised Pentecost.

It is significant also that in this year of 1902 a pamphlet entitled “A Revival Call to the Churches” was issued, and obtained a wide circulation, and another pamphlet called “Back to Pentecost,” issued the same year, showed how God was leading the thoughts of His people, and preparing them for His purposes of grace.

Can we discern any immediate effects of the world-girdling prayer? Within a year there began to be signs of awakening in various quarters, and the “Voice of the Lord” was “upon the waters,” but not yet any movement of the Spirit which could be said to bear to the eyes of the world the characteristics of Pentecost.

As in the days of Anna and Simeon, there were many hidden souls in the secret of His counsels. One such was present at Keswick at the time of the call to prayer. She had offered herself to Him some two years before this for the special service of intercession, and the story of His dealings is best told in her own words:-
“I had read words to this effect, ‘If even one life could be fully surrendered to God to use as He wanted for prayer, most wonderful results would follow—and He needs such an one.’ Then I knelt down, and very humbly told Him if He would take me and use me for prayer, I would be willing. When I said fully from my heart, ‘Yes, Lord,’ it seemed as if a hand was placed on me pressing me lower and lower, until I had no life left in me—and I wept.

For some months I was used for prayer in small things, but one day about six months later all was utter darkness. As usual I went to Him, but the darkness continued for about a week. Then one morning, about ten o’clock, the agony became terrible, and I cried, ‘Lord, what is it?’ He answered, ‘Come with Me, and I will show you the sin in this place.’ We seemed to go into all the worst parts of the district, and I saw sin as never before. I cried out for the people. The prayer was, ‘0 Lord, send a Revival into this place.’ Then came perfect peace until the next morning at the same time, when the Lord called me again, and took me further afield. The same thing happened for a whole week until I was agonizing for a ‘ World-wide Revival,’ as He took me into places where the Gospel had never been heard. Then all this ceased.
From this time I was watching for the Revival, and wondering how the Lord would send it. When we heard of any special one being used, I went to the Lord and said, ‘Is this Thine instrument, Lord?’ and He answered, ‘ Only one, child. Again I went about another much-used soul, and the same answer came, with this addition, ‘I have something more than this.’
At Keswick in 1902—the first I had ever attended—‘Prayer Circles’ were announced for a ‘World-wide Revival.’ Then I went to the Lord and cried, ‘Lord, why must they pray for what Thou hast already promised?’ Then He said, ‘This Revival is an accomplished fact in My Kingdom,’ and I said, ‘Why does it not come, Lord, without these Prayer Circles? He replied, ‘I am ready, but My children are not. Before it comes they must preach the word of the Cross—the message of Calvary.’

“I am ready, but My children are not,” shows that the world-wide circles of prayer were mainly necessary for the purpose of creating desire among the people of God, and preparing the channels for the coming “rain.” “They must preach the Cross,” tells us also that God Himself cannot send “Revival” until the Gospel of Calvary is proclaimed.

But now with one accord the cry has ascended to heaven. The Christ upon His Throne is ready to bless. The blood of the Son of God which has been “trodden under foot,” and counted “a common thing,” shall be borne witness to from heaven.

Whither shall we now turn our eyes to see His workings. Can we perceive a marked renewal of the preaching of the Cross? Yea, verily. Early in 1903 the records in the papers showed on every side that the messengers of God were being led by Him to proclaim afresh the message of Calvary. At annual meetings, opening services, and special conferences, the key-note again and again was the “Need for direct preaching of the Cross,” whilst a well-known religious paper remarked that there were “welcome signs of reversal to the old Gospel of Calvary.”

In the light of all this it is significant to find that at the Keswick Convention of 1903, when the windows of heaven were opened, and the Holy Spirit swept as an overflowing stream over the huge gatherings of five thousand men and women—many of them come from distant parts of the earth to seek the power of the Holy Ghost—He unveiled to them in fresh and vivid power the Cross of Calvary, for almost every servant of God entrusted with His messages proclaimed with one accord the “Word of the Cross” as the power of God to save from the bondage as well as the guilt of sin, and “crucified with Christ” as the secret of deliverance was the theme on every hand.*

In 1902 the Holy Ghost had drawn His people to pray for a World-wide Revival, and in 1903 the Eternal Spirit broke forth upon the people of God gathered from the ends of the earth, and leads them back to CALVARY.

Moreover, in this same year of 1903, in far-away India the Spirit of God unveiled to one of His honoured servants the Cross of Calvary in new and vivid power, revealing to him that for forty years He had been preparing him for the work of sending forth the “Word of the Cross to every tongue and tribe and nation,” in millions of booklets containing the full-orbed message of Calvary.

Yes, truly prayer must prepare God’s people for the moving forth of the Spirit in Pentecostal power, and when the Holy Spirit comes forth He bears witness to Calvary, as in the days of the first Pentecost in Jerusalem.

“0! ANFON DI YR YSBRYD GLA N.”

Oh! send Thy Holy Spirit, Lord,
In Jesu’s blessed name,
Oh ! let Thy Spirit now descend
In tongues of sacred flame!

According to Thy promise, Lord,
Shed freely from above
The Holy Spirit in His strength
To manifest Thy love.